Nenahnezad man pleads guilty to arson

Gregory Bitsilly, 28, who resides in Nenahnezad, N.M., pleaded guilty last week in federal district court to an indictment charging him with arson under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Bitsilly was arrested in March 2014 on a criminal complaint charging him with arson. He was indicted on that same charge in April 2014.

According to court filings, Bitsilly set fire to the residence he shared with his wife and children on March 24, 2014, because his wife was attempting to leave him for being physically abusive. The residence and its contents were a total loss.

During the proceedings, Bitsilly admitted willfully and maliciously setting fire to the home he resided in with his wife and children on March 24.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Bitsilly will be sentenced to a federal prison term within the range of 24 to 40 months followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Bitsilly has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

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Sanostee man sentenced for assault

ALBUQUERQUE -- Jayson Gustina, 24, who resides in Sanostee, was sentenced last week in federal district court to 27 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his assault conviction.

Gustina also was order to pay $1,654.92 in restitution to cover the costs of medical care for the victim of his criminal conduct.

Gustina was arrested on Oct. 23, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and aggravated sexual abuse.

On Jan. 19, 2013, Gustina was indicted and charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and abusive sexual contact.

According to court filings, Gustina assaulted the victim, a 16-year-old Navajo girl, and attempted to rape her on Aug. 21, 2013, in Shiprock.

On March 17, Gustina admitted assaulting the victim on Aug. 21, 2013. He also acknowledged that the victim suffered severe bruising, swelling, and a fractured cheekbone as a result of the assault.